I'd love to know of a product which does that job too. I've only had moss/algae problems on the patio for the past couple of years, I'm assuming it's the mild winters enabling it to survive and thrive. I do currently use a pressure sprayer on the paving slabs, but not on block paving because is blast the sand from between the blocks, creating even more work.
Brian, what have you used which didn't work? That knowledge could help us avoid wasting our money too
Garden Noob - Many thanks for that. I had wondered about Jeyes, not least because Armillatox has the same smell about it and also suffered the slings and arrows of legislation removing it from the market for moss killing and a host of other purposes unless they coughed up for hellishly expensive certification. Maybe the same mix as offered for Armillatox would work with Jeyes. Certainly worth a try.
And thanks for the hint on bleach mixes too.
You're currently the prize winner for the most helpful response to my query
And KT53 - I've lost track of how many of which products I've tried and found to be not effective. The best one I've found (though not great and certainly better if used in a stronger concentration than the label recommends!) is the Wilkinson own brand one, which they sell alongside something called Patio Magic (which seems to be the same as the Wilko one). Though I do find it annoying that the ingredients label advises that the active ingredient is "no more than 15%" of the whole. So what is it then? 15%? 0%? They don't seem prepared to tell!
Thanks for all of the suggestions, but I've yet to have anything that actually answers specifically what I'm after...
A chemical product treatment which:
1. Actually works, killing moss on hard surfaces
2. Without having to scrub away at it either before or after
3. Which doesn't kill the grass if it gets accidentally spilled
4. Which doesn't cost an arm and a leg
5. And which isn't jet washing! I've got a jet washer and use it very successfully on some areas, but I want an alternative that I can just water on with a watering can and forget about while the chemical does its job.
The bleach suggestion seems to be the most fitting so far, but I'd be guessing at mixing ratios with a product that shouldn't actually be used for killing moss.
Surely somebody makes something that actually does this job that can be tackled once a year, rather than monthly?!
I've tried so many of the bottles of stuff on the market, I'm astounded that any of these companies are still in business. Do any of the work? Not in my experience.
If you've got an In-Excess store anywhere near you they normally have stock of Moss Away from Everbuild which they sell for c£10 compared to the standard price of nearly £30. I've found it to work pretty well.
I've been looking because we have a large, north facing terrace which is currently concrete and a bit green and I don't want moss or algae making any finished surface we lay becoming green and slippery. Happy to have moss and algae growing elsewhere but not where it could cause accidents.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Obelixx - I know I'm starting to bang on about this but try bleach first. It's available in any supermarket, costs pennies and couldn't be easier to apply (dilute and pour). It not only kills algae/moss, but has a preventative property too.
My north-facing patio started growing algae close to the house (bottom of the picture) and close to the fence (right of the picture). I treated the affected slabs with a bleach solution, so the whole patio was algae-free and the same colour. 4 weeks later, you could tell which part of the patio received bleach - see the picture!
Before Christmas I treated the rest of the patio and it's now looking good all over - the algae hasn't really come back. From now on I plan to apply bleach in October and perhaps again in March. That should keep it looking good all year.
I made an effort to keep the bleach away from the grass as much as possible: I only used as much bleach as needed to make each slab wet, and I think I used a brush to direct it when it was close to the grass (but not really to scrub). Inevitably some bleach would have splashed on the grass but I didn't notice any adverse effects. It certainly hasn't put me off doing it again.
One note of caution: it's probably best to change your shoes after bleaching before walking on the grass or walking inside. It's also good to hose it down afterwards (I did mine shortly before a heavy rainstorm).
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I'd love to know of a product which does that job too. I've only had moss/algae problems on the patio for the past couple of years, I'm assuming it's the mild winters enabling it to survive and thrive. I do currently use a pressure sprayer on the paving slabs, but not on block paving because is blast the sand from between the blocks, creating even more work.
Brian, what have you used which didn't work? That knowledge could help us avoid wasting our money too
Garden Noob - Many thanks for that. I had wondered about Jeyes, not least because Armillatox has the same smell about it and also suffered the slings and arrows of legislation removing it from the market for moss killing and a host of other purposes unless they coughed up for hellishly expensive certification. Maybe the same mix as offered for Armillatox would work with Jeyes. Certainly worth a try.
And thanks for the hint on bleach mixes too.
You're currently the prize winner for the most helpful response to my query
And KT53 - I've lost track of how many of which products I've tried and found to be not effective. The best one I've found (though not great and certainly better if used in a stronger concentration than the label recommends!) is the Wilkinson own brand one, which they sell alongside something called Patio Magic (which seems to be the same as the Wilko one). Though I do find it annoying that the ingredients label advises that the active ingredient is "no more than 15%" of the whole. So what is it then? 15%? 0%? They don't seem prepared to tell!
I've just bought a box of 4 tubs of www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I0AOLGQ/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item of in the hope that it does what it says on the tin. Remains to be seen...
Cheers
If you've got an In-Excess store anywhere near you they normally have stock of Moss Away from Everbuild which they sell for c£10 compared to the standard price of nearly £30. I've found it to work pretty well.
I found this product online - https://www.kingfisheruk.com/biocidal-wash-moss-amp-mould-inhibitor-item-72 They also do a patio sealer which might help prevent moss and algae returning once you've got it all cleaned up.
I've been looking because we have a large, north facing terrace which is currently concrete and a bit green and I don't want moss or algae making any finished surface we lay becoming green and slippery. Happy to have moss and algae growing elsewhere but not where it could cause accidents.
Obelixx - I know I'm starting to bang on about this but try bleach first. It's available in any supermarket, costs pennies and couldn't be easier to apply (dilute and pour). It not only kills algae/moss, but has a preventative property too.
My north-facing patio started growing algae close to the house (bottom of the picture) and close to the fence (right of the picture). I treated the affected slabs with a bleach solution, so the whole patio was algae-free and the same colour. 4 weeks later, you could tell which part of the patio received bleach - see the picture!
Before Christmas I treated the rest of the patio and it's now looking good all over - the algae hasn't really come back. From now on I plan to apply bleach in October and perhaps again in March. That should keep it looking good all year.
That's interesting Garden Noob - Did treating with bleach have any adverse effects on the grass when you get to the edges?
I made an effort to keep the bleach away from the grass as much as possible: I only used as much bleach as needed to make each slab wet, and I think I used a brush to direct it when it was close to the grass (but not really to scrub). Inevitably some bleach would have splashed on the grass but I didn't notice any adverse effects. It certainly hasn't put me off doing it again.
One note of caution: it's probably best to change your shoes after bleaching before walking on the grass or walking inside. It's also good to hose it down afterwards (I did mine shortly before a heavy rainstorm).
Two dogs and 2 kittens so anything I do is with them in mind. Lots to think about yet.
Noob - Straight before a rain storm? You're looking at a pretty quick effectiveness speed there then?